2023 Season Preview: Longford Town

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Manager: Stephen Henderson

Stadium: Bishopsgate

Players In: Jack Brady (Treaty United), Jamal Ibrahim (Shelbourne), Kyle O'Connor (Shelbourne), Francis Campbell (Shelbourne), James Doona (Cork City), Derek Daly (Crumlin United), Evan Farrell (Bangor Celtic), Gavin O'Brien (Bohemians), Oisin Hand (Shamrock Rovers), Josh Giurgi (Shelbourne), Stephen Meaney, Darragh Lynch (Bray Wanderers), Viktor Serdeniuk (Shamrock Rovers), Ross Fay (St Patrick's Athletic), Jack Harrington (Dundalk), Aaron Walsh (Loughgall), Ciaran Hodanu (Cork City).

Players Out: Aaron Robinson (Wexford), Mark Hanratty (Wexford), Ben Lynch (Wexford), Karl Chambers (Wexford), Darren Clarke (Galway United), Matthew Dunne (Wexford), Darren Craven (Bray Wanderers), Jordan Adeyemo (Wexford), Colm Cox (Wexford), Dean McMenamy (end of loan), Luke Dennison (Bohemians), Brandon McCann (Wexford), Matthew O'Brien, Dylan Barnett, Eric Molloy, Michael McDonnell, Joe Power (Bray Wanderers).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Jack Brady

Returning to the club after a stint away with Limerick, Shelbourne and Treaty United, Jack Brady is back at Bishopsgate for the second time in his career.

While he struggled for game time towards the end of his previous stint at the club, the Co. Tipperary man is likely to play a key role for De Town this season.

The 26-year-old will provide an experience and defensive know-how in the Town back-line that is packed with exciting talents such as Oisin Hand and Aaron Walsh.

And should Longford Town impress this season, Brady is likely to be at the centre of it – alongside Shane Elworthy and Sam Verdon. 

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Darragh Lynch



Joining Longford Town from Bray Wanderers, injuries have held Darragh Lynch back over the previous few years – but will be keen to make up for some lost time.

Lynch burst onto the scene with the Seagulls in 2020 and almost fired the then Gary Cronin managed side to promotion during the Covid-19 hit campaign.

But injuries and a lack of form have halted his rise through the ranks.

However, the striker will be aware that he can catch fire in the First Division, and should he do so, he will take a fair bit of stopping.

What to expect this season:

Not expected to contend at the top of the table, Longford Town’s tag as underdogs may suit them under new management.



Only four players remain from last season’s squad that coasted into the play-offs – with many of those players moving on to Wexford and other First Division rivals.

De Town possess a young squad that will be keen to show their worth in a division that contains three full-time sides.

And should they find their groove early on, their manager Stephen Henderson knows a thing or two about engineering unlikely promotion runs.

But if they manage to reach the play-offs that should be considered a job well done for the Red and Black.

First Game: Longford host Athlone Town in their 2023 campaign on February 18 (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

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